Prospective applicants to the AFRL Research Associateship Fellowship Program must select a research project from among the large group of Research Opportunities listed on this website. Prior to completing an application, prospective applicants should contact the proposed Research Adviser to assure that funding will be available if their application is recommended by NRC Research Associateship Program panels. Once mutual interest is established between a prospective applicant and a Research Adviser, an application is submitted through the NRC Research Associateship Programs online system. Reviews of applications to AFRL are conducted four times each year, and review results are available approximately six to eight weeks following the application deadline.
Eligibility
Education and Experience
Applicants must have earned a Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or academically equivalent research doctorate before beginning tenure.
The Fellowships Office makes fellowship awards at the postdoctoral and senior researcher levels. Postdoctoral Fellows: Applicants must have held the doctorate for less than five years as of the application deadline.
Senior Fellows: Applicants are required to either have held a doctorate for at least five years by the application deadline or to have a permanent appointment in academia, government, or industry, complemented by research experience that has led to significant contributions and recognition as established investigators in their specific fields. To ascertain if senior applicants are accepted, applicants are advised to review the specifics of the agency to which they are applying. Current or Prior Affiliation with the Laboratory
Individuals with current or recent prior affiliation with the sponsoring laboratory may not be eligible.
Disqualifying current or prior affiliation includes: - Direct employment relationships either with the agency or with a contractor whose work is performed at the agency
- Current or previous postdoctoral fellowships sponsored by or conducted at the sponsoring federal agency/laboratory
Current or prior affiliation that is generally acceptable includes:
- Research performed in collaboration with scientists at the sponsoring federal agency/laboratory as a student, postdoc, or faculty member unless the proposed research involves continuation of work with the same Research Adviser or on the same or similar project.
Citizenship and Immigration Status - Research Opportunities at AFRL are limited to U.S. citizens. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex, or national origin.
Stipend and Benefits
Stipend - AFRL Postdoctoral Fellowships offer a base stipend of $76,542, which is increased based on years of experience past the PhD. A disciplinary supplement for training in engineering and computer sciences may also apply. All Postdoctoral Fellows will receive a stipend increase after one year of tenure.
Insurance - A group health-insurance program is provided for AFRL Postdoctoral Fellows and dependents. The cost of this program is shared by the Fellow and AFRL.
Relocation and Travel
A relocation reimbursement will be determined for each awardee and is noted in the awardee's award information page.
A travel allowance is also available for limited approved professional travel during tenure (currently $4,000/year).
- Review the eligibility criteria listed above to determine your eligibility for a fellowship.
- Identify Research Opportunities you wish to pursue using the AF STFP Research Opportunities links in the left navigation menu.
- Contact the proposed Research Adviser(s) listed with the Research Opportunities of interest to discuss potential research projects and funding availability.
- Follow the instructions provided in the Applicant Guide (PDF, 197 KB).
- Once you have completed the steps above, start an application.
*Note: The application process for the AF STFP follows the same procedures as the NRC Research Associateship Programs.
Key Dates
| Application Opens | Deadline* (5 PM ET) | Review Finalized | | December 1 | February 1 | Early March | | March 1 | May 1 | Early June | | June 1 | August 1 | Early September | | September 1 | November 1 | Early December |
Reviewer feedback will be available to applicants one week after the review has been finalized. Applicants will be notified via e-mail once this information is available.
*If a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline is moved to the next business day.
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